Power tool, battery pack, and method of operating the same

Abstract

An electrical combination. The electrical combination includes a power tool having a housing supporting a motor, the motor being operable to drive a tool element and including a hand grip, a battery, and a locking assembly supported by one of the battery and the housing of the power tool for selectively securing the battery to the housing. The locking assembly includes a movable locking member and an actuator movable relative to one of the battery and the housing to move the locking member. The actuator moves along both a first path and a second path different from the first path between a locking position, in which the locking member secures the battery to the housing, and an unlocked position, in which the battery is removable from the power tool.

1 . An electrical combination comprising: 
 a power tool having a housing supporting a motor, the motor being operable to drive a tool element, and including a hand grip;    a battery; and    a locking assembly supported by one of the battery and the housing of the power tool for selectively securing the battery to the housing, the locking assembly including a movable locking member and an actuator movable relative to one of the battery and the housing to move the locking member, wherein the actuator moves along both a first path and a second path different from the first path between a locking position, in which the locking member secures the battery to the housing, and an unlocked position, in which the battery is removable from the power tool.    
   
   
       2 . The electrical combination of  claim 1 , wherein the first path is substantially linear and the second path is substantially arcuate.  
   
   
       3 . The electrical combination of  claim 2 , wherein the battery is selectively movable with respect to the housing in a direction of movement to remove the battery from the housing and wherein the first path is substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the battery with respect to the power tool housing.  
   
   
       4 . The electrical combination of  claim 3 , wherein the locking member is movable in an axial direction, wherein the axial direction is substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the battery with respect to the power tool housing.  
   
   
       5 . The electrical combination of  claim 4 , wherein the actuator has a ramp surface configured to engage a ramp surface of the locking member.  
   
   
       6 . The electrical combination of  claim 2 , wherein the actuator is movable in a direction of movement to remove the battery from the housing and wherein the actuator is pivotable to move the locking member to the unlocked position.  
   
   
       7 . A power tool, the power tool comprising: 
 a housing supporting a motor;    a drive mechanism driven by the motor and operable to drive a tool element; and    a locking assembly including 
 a locking member movable with respect to the housing between a locked position in which the locking member secures a battery to the housing and an unlocked position in which the battery is removable from the housing; and  
 an actuator movable with respect to the housing and including a ramped surface engageable with the locking member to move the locking member between the locked position and the unlocked position.  
   
   
   
       8 . The power tool of  claim 7 , wherein the locking member includes a ramp surface.  
   
   
       9 . The power tool of  claim 8 , wherein the ramp surface of the actuator is engageable with the ramp surface of the locking member.  
   
   
       10 . The power tool of  claim 7 , wherein the actuator moves relative to the housing to move a locking member, wherein the actuator moves along a first path and a second path different from the first path.  
   
   
       11 . The power tool of  claim 10 , wherein the first path is substantially linear and the second path is substantially arcuate.  
   
   
       12 . The power tool of  claim 11 , wherein the first path is substantially parallel to a direction of movement of the battery with respect to the power tool housing.  
   
   
       13 . The power tool of  claim 12 , wherein the locking member is movable in an axial direction, wherein the axial direction is substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the battery with respect to the power tool housing.  
   
   
       14 . A method of operating a power tool, the method comprising the acts of: 
 securing a battery to a connecting structure of the power tool;    transferring power from the battery to a motor of the power tool to drive a tool element; and    moving an actuator of a locking assembly, wherein the locking assembly includes the actuator movable with respect to the housing to move a locking member, wherein the actuator moves along a first path and a second path different from the first path between a locking position, in which the locking member secures the battery to the housing, and an unlocked position, in which the battery is removable from the power tool.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first path is substantially linear and the second path is substantially arcuate.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first path is substantially parallel to a direction of movement of the battery with respect to the power tool housing.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the locking member is movable in an axial direction, wherein the axial direction is substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the battery with respect to the power tool housing.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the actuator has a ramp surface configured to engage a ramp surface of the locking member.  
   
   
       19 . A method of operating a power tool, the method comprising the acts of: 
 securing a battery to a connecting structure of the power tool;    transferring power from the battery to a motor of the power tool to drive a tool element; and    moving an actuator of a locking member relative to the housing to move the locking member from a locked position toward an unlocked position and removing the power tool, the locking member maintaining the actuator in an unlocked position after the battery is removed, wherein the locking member secures the battery to the housing in a locked position, and in which the battery is removable from the power tool in an unlocked position.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the actuator includes a ramp surface and the locking member includes a ramp surface.  
   
   
       21 . The power tool of  claim 20 , wherein the ramp surface of the actuator is engageable with the ramp surface of the locking member.  
   
   
       22 . The power tool of  claim 19 , wherein the actuator moves relative to the housing to move a locking member, wherein the actuator moves along a first path and a second path different from the first path.  
   
   
       23 . The power tool of  claim 22 , wherein the first path is substantially linear and the second path is substantially arcuate.  
   
   
       24 . The power tool of  claim 23 , wherein the first path is substantially parallel to a direction of movement of the battery with respect to the power tool housing.  
   
   
       25 . The power tool of  claim 24 , wherein the locking member is movable in an axial direction, wherein the axial direction is substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the battery with respect to the power tool housing.